Ever wonder what'sUNDER BOWLING GREEN?

KARST GROUNDWATER AWARENESS CAMPAIGN

Use this site to explore, learn, discuss, and share information about Bowling Green's most important and fragile natural resource - groundwater! Once you've spent some time on our website, take our survey about karst groundwater and pledge to protect and conserve this valuable resource. We hope you enjoy the site and share it with your friends, family, and other acquaintances.

Learn

Few people know about the underground world that exists under Bowling Green, where water flows in underground rivers in what is known as a karst landscape. In karst areas, water is especially vulnerable to pollution. In fact, did you know what we do on the surface in Bowling Green directly impacts both the water below ground and our drinking water? This is possible because a portion of the water feeding the Barren River, where the City draws its drinking water from, flows through underground karst networks.

Calendar

Are you anxious to keep learning about karst and groundwater? Do you want to get involved in a karst- or groundwater-related event? If so, explore the calendar to see what events are happening in your area. If you know about a related event, have it posted on the interactive Calendar for others to see.

Upcoming Event

Household Hazards Waste Collection Day

Nashville Road by WKU South Campus

April 26, 8am to 12pm

We're Sorry.

Submitting calendar events is currently disabled. We hope to have this feature back online soon. You can always email events to leslie.north@wku.edu in the meantime.

Survey

Please complete this voluntary survey as accurately and honestly as possible, without the assistance of outside resources, fellow participants, or referring back to this website. If you don't know the answer to a question, please leave it blank. Thank you for your participation. We sincerely appreciate you submitting your opinions and feedback!

Pledge

Everyone in Bowling Green lives on a distinctive landscape known as karst. These landscapes are vulnerable to pollution, and therefore what you do in and around your home can easily affect your karst environment and our groundwater. Making simple changes can help prevent water pollution and keeps our karst landscape healthy. Take the Under Bowling Green Karst Groundwater pledge to commit to doing your part to protect Bowling Green's valuable water resources. Be a part of the solution to stormwater and groundwater pollution!

Check the boxes next to the changes you pledge to achieve.

Print and hang the pledge in a location that your family will see every day, or even better, share it with fellow members of the community on the website, Twitter, and/or Facebook!

Make Groundwater Conservation a Habit.

Install water-efficient sprinklers and a rain sensor to override the sprinkler system when it rains.

Fix leaks.

Turn off my irrigation system and water only when needed.

Keep runoff water clean to protect our karst groundwater.

Never dump trash/toxic materials into caves, sinkholes, springs, or rivers.

Never dump toxic materials such as motor oil or antifreeze down storm drains, curb inlets, or on the ground.

Check car for fluid leaks and maintain it with regular tune-ups.

Pick up pet waste and dispose of it in the trash or toilet.

Do not fertilize before a heavy rain.

Sweep up any spilled fertilizer and place it back in the fertilizer bag.

Use slow-release fertilizer.

Always follow fertilizer package directions.

Use environmentally-friendly cleaners when washing cars or other outdoor equipment.

Keep stormwater drains near your home clear of debris.

Maintain septic systems to keep karst groundwater healthy.

Watch closely for signs of septic tank failure.

Have septic systems inspected every 2 to 3 years and pumped when needed.

Keep karst features clean to protect our karst groundwater and the health of specialized cave life.

Never pollute a spring, cave, or sinkhole with oil, antifreeze, or other chemicals.

Never enter a cave without proper permission.

Never remove a cave formation (e.g. a stalagmite).

Never leave trash or graffiti in a cave.

Always keep sinkholes clear of debris and trash.

Set an example for healthy living in a karst landscape.

Volunteer for a cave, sinkhole, or spring cleanup.

Encourage friends, family, and neighbors to visit this website and learn about karst.

Encourage friends, family and neighbors to take the Under Bowling Green: Karst Groundwater pledge.

Educate others about the importance and sensitivity of karst landscapes.

Volunteer for a local environmental club.

Educate others about the interconnectedness of the karst landscape to the Barren River and our drinking water supply.

Connect

Facebook, Twitter, and more coming soon!

Sponsors

This campaign was made possible through a collaborative partnership between the city of Bowling Green and WKU's Hoffman Environmental Research Institute. Funding for the project is from the Bowling Green Department of Public Works.

The mission of the Department of Public Works is to maintain the City's storm water, streets, landfills, public buildings, and traffic control for the protection of the public and improvement of the quality of life for the citizens of Bowling Green. Visit Site.

The mission of the Hoffman Environmental Research Institute is to be a leader in basic and applied research that aims to better understand landscape, atmosphere, water, and human interactions. Visit Site.